A political and religious row surrounding the naming of a newly inaugurated Jagannath temple in Digha, West Bengal, has culminated in the removal of the word “Dham” from all signboards, following opposition from Odisha’s religious leaders and political figures.
Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal reaffirmed that Jagannath Dham is solely associated with the historic Puri temple, stating, “There are only four Dhams. Jagannath Dham is in Puri. Temples can be built worldwide, but calling Digha’s temple a ‘Dham’ is incorrect.”
The signage at the Digha temple now refers to it as “Jagannath Temple” instead of “Jagannath Dham,” after public backlash and intervention from both the Odisha BJP and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Bhabani Das Mohapatra, the Chief Servitor of the Puri Jagannath Temple, hailed this as a “victory of righteousness and the faith of 4.5 crore devotees.” He emphasized that no sacred Dharu Katta (divine wood) from Puri was sent to Digha, refuting suggestions that the Digha idol bore similar religious sanctity.
Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also held discussions with SJTA officials and confirmed that neem wood, not Dharu Katta, was used in the Digha idol construction. He stated that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be issued soon to regulate ritual practices outside Puri, ensuring religious consistency and reverence.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who inaugurated the Digha temple, urged for calm and religious harmony, saying, “Temples are everywhere. We respect Puri and we respect Jagannath. Why is there so much anger on this issue?”
Despite her appeal, critics alleged a deliberate attempt to equate the Digha temple with the sanctified Puri shrine, prompting Odisha’s call to formally request the West Bengal government to avoid such nomenclature in the future.
The incident has once again highlighted sensitive inter-state religious sentiments, with Odisha asserting cultural and spiritual authority over Lord Jagannath traditions, while also acknowledging the global spread of Jagannath devotion.